Thread: Posting to Celle - shall I leave the car behind?

We are about to leave for our first posting. Himself passes out from Army training in February. Car is 10 years old and scruffy round the exterior but in fair working order. Should I sell it and save on insurance, Mot, Rac and running costs and rely on public transport for all our entertainment or bite the bullet and drive it out there with all the ensuing costs? We have 2 small children (3 and 18 months).

Thanks in advance!

Becky

(edited for rubbish early morning spelling...)

Becky,

I was posted to Celle up until August last year. At the time I had a six year old car that had a bit of wear and tear and a few miles on the clock. I took my car with me. Although public transport is very good in Germany (Celle as well) and reasonable I would still say take the car. I would recommend getting continental headlights fitted before you drive it out to Germany though because in Germany they will be almost double the price dependant on the car you own.

You will need to get insurance, but can drive your car there on your UK insurance and then get quotes from places like Forces Financial (In the Roundhouse in Hohne - I can give you directions if you need them when you are there) or O'Girkes near the coffee shop on Camp (opp Post bunk) or you can insure through other forces insurers. You will find that the insurance in Germany is quite high, but it is essential. I would make sure that you have legal cover on your insurance as well just in case you have an accident where a third party gets injured.

The reason I recommend having the car is that the hopitals are quite a way (trust me you won't want to rely on Welfare for lifts and sometimes Taxi's will be expensive), if you want to go to some soft play area's or other childrens activities you will probably need the car. Celle itself is walkable from either patch but it will be a 40 minute walk.

If you have any other Celle questions feel free to ask me, I lived there for just over a year and loved it.

I would take the car with you. As with everything Gonzo has said, its well worth it. You'll have to get it BFG's (British Forces Germany registered) so you'll need to have it inspected etc but its easy enough. And you could always treat yourselves to a new tax free car!

Yes, and if you do want a tax free there is a showroom down in Hohne.

any chance she can just use it for a month.like it's a holiday and then just get rid of it?

It's not difficult to BFG and you can probably get cheap headlights off of ebay or BFGBay on FB

Thanks for your helpful replies, especially Gonzo. I guess we shall keep the old thing then - himself will have to fork out! I guess he will be wanting to insure it so he can drive it anyway, as he will be doing his car test at the end of training. Mind you I think he is interested in a tax free motorbike... Not very family friendly, but we all like our 'toys'.

What about Cyprus (- I am told that is next)?

Becks,

My understanding is that your lot will not be coming to Cyprus, but that is just the rumour mill in overdrive probably.

If you come here (Cyprus) very seriously look into bringing the car or buying privately. It is far cheaper than buying out here (you do get ripped off hugely). We were told by our welfare office that it would cost in excess of €5000 to bring our car out here, but it actually would have cost around €1500. Whereas we have just had to buy a car from a dealer and they are charging €5300 for a 1998 Rav 4 on a 50% buy back that we will probably only get 5% for when we leave.

I have the feeling that you are going to be with the Battalion that is following us perpetually. If you are you might find that the rotation is going to change because we have just been told (by the CO) that we are NOT going to Woolwich next but Pirbright, and that the Battalion in Woolwich is going to come back to Cyprus. I assume that your lot will go to Woolwich if that is the case as I understand that Celle will close in 2012. This is not gospel at the moment though, so who knows.